Port of Los Angeles marked the completion of the Port’s Main Channel Deepening Project, a major milestone in the Port’s ongoing efforts to assure its global competitiveness and continued growth. Conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of the Port, the 10-year, $370 million project to deepen the Port’s main navigational channel and turning basins allows the Port to accommodate bigger, more modern vessels from around the world.
“Port of Los Angeles is a critical economic engine to the Los Angeles region,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Completion of this project means that the Port will remain competitive globally, and continue to be a strong source for jobs and regional revenue growth for years to come.”
“Our nation’s ports are the backbone of our country’s economy,” said Congresswoman Janice Hahn. “Now that this dredging project is complete, America’s Port® will have the ability to accept the new, larger cargo vessels. Our increased competiveness will strengthen our regional and national economies — resulting in job creation in my district and across the country.”
“Completion of the Main Channel Deepening Project has been our single most important infrastructure project,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “We’re grateful for the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and everyone on the Port team who helped bring this critical infrastructure priority to fruition.”
The project involved deepening of the Port’s 45-foot deep Main Channel, West Basin Channel and East Basin Channel to a 53-foot depth. During the course of the multi-year effort, the Corps generated and relocated 15 million cubic yards of dredge materials to various sites throughout the Port.
The Port’s container terminal tenants rely on the Port’s deep channels to move cargo. Container terminals generate about 74 percent of Port revenues and help facilitate hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs throughout Southern California. More than 43,000 direct jobs are connected to marine terminal operators at the Port.
In order to maintain and improve its world-class infrastructure, Port of Los Angeles is in the midst of a five year, $1.3 billion Capital Improvement Program to modernize and upgrade terminals, to increase rail capacity and improve roadways in and around the port. Los Angeles is America’s largest seaport, importing 4.2 million TEUs in 2012, and exporting 3.9 million.